Blackburn Rovers face Preston North End threat in new Alan Browne twist | OneFootball

Preston have joined Blackburn Rovers in the race to sign Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne.

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Blackburn Rovers have been joined by Championship rivals Preston North End in the race to sign Sunderland midfielder Alan Browne.

The Blue and Whites are now under the stewardship of veteran manager Tony Mowbray after Michael O'Neill opted against remaining at the club beyond his interim spell which concluded at the end of last season.

It's been a quiet transfer window at Ewood Park thus far, with just two additions in central midfielder Moussa Baradji from Yverdon Sport, and Stockport County winger Jayden Fevrier.

Mowbray is still looking to bolster his squad ahead of the new Championship season, and his side's pursuit of Sunderland's Browne had previously been documented by The Lancashire Telegraph earlier in the summer.

However, a fresh report from journalist Alan Nixon via his Patreon page on Sunday morning has suggested that the former Premier League champions will face competition from county rivals Preston in the race to sign the midfielder.

Preston join Blackburn Rovers in Alan Browne pursuit

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Browne's future at Sunderland is very much up in the air, with the Black Cats securing European football in their first season back in the Premier League, leaving the Irishman surplus to requirements.

He spent last term on loan with Middlesbrough, where he helped them reach the Championship play-off final, but was unable to add a second Wembley victory in as many years to his name, as Boro fell to a crushing late defeat at the hands of Hull City.

Now Browne has returned to Wearside, he looks set to be allowed to depart the club this summer, which saw Blackburn reportedly register their interest in bringing him to Ewood Park.

However, Nixon's latest update has suggested that Lancashire rivals and Browne's former employers, Preston, have also joined the race for the midfielder's signature, as they look to bolster their squad for the forthcoming Championship campaign.

Browne spent over a decade at Deepdale after rising through the ranks in his native Ireland, making over 400 appearances for the club, scoring 46 goals and laying on 26 assists.

North End are reportedly keen to bring back their former midfield dynamo on loan this summer, but will have to battle with Blackburn to win the race for his signature.

Alan Browne will be an exceptional coup for whoever lands his services

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How often do you see a midfielder of Browne's pedigree and quality available that doesn't require a hefty fee to sign? The short answer is, barely ever.

Sunderland's meteoric rise from the Championship to Europe in two years has left them with a portion of players from their promotion-winning squad who've fallen down the pecking order given the sheer quantity and quality of new signings.

This isn't to say these players are by any means bad players, they just aren't above the power curve in the Premier League currently, but they would thrive in the Championship.

Browne is one of these, with a huge amount of experience at Championship level and a play-off final victory to boot - a CV which any second tier side would love to have amid their ranks, particularly if they're fighting at the sharp end of the division.